Author Archives: Claire S. Gould

We’ve been having a lot of fun lately chatting to you, our supporters, and community members at the events we’ve organized in past few months. Wouldn’t it be great to hang out with the likes of the amazing Noorjahan Akhbar or the badass Jaclyn Friedman more often? Some of the best ideas are born, and some of the best connections are made at these events.

What do you think? Would you be interested in a regular feminist mind-meld over snacks and drinks? Which activists, writers, celebrities, regular folks are you interested in meeting? Fill out our poll below and let us know!

Over the past two weeks, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) has rolled out an Anti‐Harassment Public Service Announcement (PSA) Campaign featuring 40 advertisements at 28 metro stations across the DMV region.

“I’m Not The One Who Should Be Ashamed,” reads one advertisement. “Rub Against Me and I’ll Expose You,” reads another. The three ads, which are featured in English and Spanish depending on station, list a newly established email address and website for metro‐goers to report to Metro Transit Police any incidences of sexual harassment or sexual assault experienced or witnessed on a train, station, bus or bus stop. The ads come in response to a months‐long campaign spearheaded by the D.C. grassroots group, Collective Action for Safe Spaces (CASS). In February, CASS testified before the D.C. City Council urging WMATA to adopt an anti‐harassment public relations campaign, implement a better tracking system for harassment, and establish improved employee training on sexual harassment response and prevention.

According to statistics collected by CASS, 30% of incidents of sexual harassment which occurred in D.C. over the past three years took place near or within a Metro transit center.

The Anti‐Harassment PSA Campaign, which aims to help WMATA officials identify trends and prevent future crime marks the first time that Metro Transit Police are tracking incidents of verbal sexual assault. “The ads are a great first step in acknowledging that we, WMATA customers, will not tolerate these types of crimes,” said Chai Shenoy, co‐founder of CASS. WMATA’s Anti‐Harassment PSA Campaign can be found at the following metro locations:

###ABOUT COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR STREET HARASSMENT
Founded in 2009, Collective Action for Safe Spaces (CASS) is a grassroots organization that aims to empower the DC Metro area to build a community free from public sexual harassment and assault through such methods as online activism, public policy and advocacy, community workshops, and innovative direct services.

Yeah, that’s right. We said it. We are a Mad Wo/Men Ad agency with all the glory of Penn Ave. 😉 Well, we got three sets of ads up right now in English and Spanish in the DC Metro system. Where?, say you.BAM!

We were told by Caroline Lucas, WMATA Communications Manager, that the ads will be installed on all buses. Have you seen one? If so, click it and send it us at @hollabackdc tagged with #antiSHads.

Now, the first person to send us pictures of you in front of all 40 ads, tagged #antiSHads, on Twitter and/or Facebook will get a prize. Do it by next Friday, June 15. Seriously! Make it happen because Mad Wo/Men Agency partners can.

After a long day o’work, come out and hang with Women’s Information Network as they host a happy hour in honor of CASS. You can learn more about the RightRides DC program, and enjoy appetizers for WIN members.